congratulate
verb
con·grat·u·late kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt 
-ˈgra-jə-
congratulated; congratulating
transitive verb
1
: to express vicarious pleasure to (a person) on the occasion of success or good fortune
graciously congratulated the winner
also : to feel pleased with
congratulating herself for a job well done
2
archaic : to express sympathetic pleasure at (an event)
3
obsolete : salute, greet
congratulator
kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlā-tər
noun -ˈgra-jə-
Synonyms
- compliment
- felicitate
- hug
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
I'd like to congratulate you on your success. She congratulated us on our test results. She congratulated herself for getting the best grade in her class.
Recent Examples on the Web López Obrador had a close, friendly relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, and waited longer than almost any other world leader to congratulate Joe Biden on his election. 
Mark Stevenson, Star Tribune, 14 Jan. 2021 And, McConnel not only recognized the results, but even took a moment to congratulate Biden on his win. Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, 15 Dec. 2020 While many world leaders moved quickly to congratulate Biden on his victory last month, Putin was among the most significant holdouts. NBC News, 15 Dec. 2020 Romney, the only GOP senator to vote to impeach Trump, was also among the first GOP senator to congratulate Biden after major news operations declared him the winter. Lee Davidson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 Nov. 2020 The customers congratulate themselves on their luck at being with girls so young, commenting ruefully that it would never be allowed in Tokyo. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 July 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin did not congratulate U.S. President Joe Biden on the United States’ Independence Day, breaking with a long-standing tradition. Katya Soldak, Forbes, 4 July 2022 As for Netflix, meanwhile, the streamer will almost certainly congratulate itself for the Stranger Things viewership figures next week. Andy Meek, BGR, 14 July 2022 After leaving, continue to congratulate executives and colleagues on birthdays and achievements. Naira Velumyan, Forbes, 12 July 2022 See More
Mark Stevenson, Star Tribune, 14 Jan. 2021 And, McConnel not only recognized the results, but even took a moment to congratulate Biden on his win. Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, 15 Dec. 2020 While many world leaders moved quickly to congratulate Biden on his victory last month, Putin was among the most significant holdouts. NBC News, 15 Dec. 2020 Romney, the only GOP senator to vote to impeach Trump, was also among the first GOP senator to congratulate Biden after major news operations declared him the winter. Lee Davidson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 Nov. 2020 The customers congratulate themselves on their luck at being with girls so young, commenting ruefully that it would never be allowed in Tokyo. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 July 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin did not congratulate U.S. President Joe Biden on the United States’ Independence Day, breaking with a long-standing tradition. Katya Soldak, Forbes, 4 July 2022 As for Netflix, meanwhile, the streamer will almost certainly congratulate itself for the Stranger Things viewership figures next week. Andy Meek, BGR, 14 July 2022 After leaving, continue to congratulate executives and colleagues on birthdays and achievements. Naira Velumyan, Forbes, 12 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin congratulatus, past participle of congratulari to wish joy, from com- + gratulari to wish joy, from gratus pleasing — more at grace
First Known Use
1539, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
congratulate
verb
con·grat·u·late kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt
congratulated; congratulating
: to express pleasure on account of success or good fortune
I congratulated the winner.
congratulates
verb
as in commends
to express to (someone) admiration for his or her success or good fortune let me be the first to congratulate you on winning the award Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- commends
- cheers
- applauds
- compliments
- praises
- hugs
- salutes
- felicitates
- hails
- lauds
- extols
- extolls
- glorifies
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- minimizes
- disparages
- diminishes
- decries
- belittles
- deprecates
- discounts
- depreciates
- mocks
- ridicules
- teases
- bad-mouths
- taunts
- puts down
- jeers
- cries down
- writes off